Mining-machine



A. BALL.

MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20. 19H.

RENEWED APR. I7. I920.

Patented Jan. 18, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Mia eases.

inventor.- fgwj dlefl B IZ, I, Milling.

25m Q W A. BALL.

MINI'NG MACHINE.

APPLLCATION FILED JUNE 20, I91].

RENEWED APR. 17, 1920.

Patented Jan. 18, 1921. I

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor.- dleriflall,

Wild Bases: MAfiM. (76am! 4 W down.

UNlTEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT BALL, OF CLAREMONT, HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN. MENTS, TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO A conrona'r'xon or 01:10,

MINING-MACHINE.

Patented Jan.'18, 1921.

Application filed June 20, 1911, Serial No. 634,293. Renewed April 17, 1920. Serial No. 374,752

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that L'ALBERT BALL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Claremont, county of Sullivan, State of New Hampshire, (whose post-oflice address islaremont, New Hampshire.) hav invented an Improvement in Mining-Vlachines, of whichthe following description. in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification. like-characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to mining machines,

and more particularly to coal mining machines intended for cutting a continuous kerf in the side wall of a mine, the invention consisting in improvements for reglr lating the cut.

It frequently happens that a streak or stratum of slate is encountered part way up the wall and, if the entire wall is undercut, as is usually necessary where the machines now in vogue are employed. considerable trouble and expense is entailed in separating the slate from the coal. In the disclosed form of machine I have provided means wherebythe kert can be caused to follow the higher level of such a stratum of slate. By this means the coal below the slate can first be undercut and broken down and the layer of slate then cut out. after which the coal above the slate can be broken Such method of removal is much cheaper and quicker than that formerly in use.

The invention willbe best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan viewot the auxiliary shoe or support which is employed in the disclosed embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the auxiliary shoe showing the lower part ofthe mining machine sustained thereby, the upper portion being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the shoe and machine as shown in Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is a plan view, and

Fig. 5 an elevation of one of the side rests of the auxiliary support;

Fig. 6 is a plan view partly diagrammatic machine shown in Fi bodiment showing a mining machine mounted upon the support shown in Fig. l;' and F g. 7 1s a side elevation of the mining Referring to the drawings and to the ema of the invention therein disclosed, while it may be usefully employed in con.- nect1on wlth other types of mining machines I have shown the same as applied to a selfpropelled machine ofthe long wall type employed for cutting a continuous kerf in the sidewall of the mine. For the sake of illustrating one concrete formof the'invention, a machine s shown of the well known critter- ('llzll ll type provided with the cutter bar 1 pro ecting therefrom and adapted to under- ;cut the wall of the i v the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 6. The cutter bar, as usual, is provided with cutting apphances consisting of the endless cutter chain 2, the latter being driven from the sprocket wheel indicated at 3. The sprocket wheel 3 is driven by any suitable motor carried by the machine such as the electricmotor indicated at 4.

lVlnle any suitable construction may be employed for traversing the machine while cutting. in the present instance supporting means are provided, upon and with which the machine is adapted to move along the mine. Preferably, as in the machine of the prior patent to Mitchell No. 656,414, such means is provided in the form of a bottom plate or shoe 5 to which the body of the machine is rigidly secured and upon whichit is adapted to slide, if required, the bottom or floor of the mine.

To hold the cutter chain and the'cutter bar in thedesired relation against the work as the machine is fed along, guiding means are provided, the same consisting of one or more ropes, cables or flexible guiding members kept under tension and preferably so associated with the machine that the cutter bar as it travels is held up to the work without the necessary use of rails or other like guiding supports.

In the illustrated form of the invention I provide for this purpose flexible guiding means, herein consisting of a cable chain-l3, which, in the utilization of the machinefiis connected to fixed supports, one on he advancing side of the machine and the other on mine while moving in directly upon the receding side' thereof, one part of the chain being connected to the machine rela-v tively near its Wall or cutting end and the other near the opposite end thereof.

In the disclosed machine (see Figs. 6 and 7) the cable chain 6 inmaking the main or lateral cut is connected to the fixed anchor 7 at the endof the Wall. The anchor? may be of any suitable construction such as that shown in the aforesaid Mitchell patent. The opposite end of the chain is connected to a fixed support 8 at the receding side ot the machine. In order to take in or let out the chain the support 8 may be in the form of an adjustable take-up jack having, for example, a construction similar to that of the take-up jack shown in Figs. 16 and 17 of the aforesaid Mitchell patent.

At the forward end of the machine the chain is connected thereto by passing about the guide sheave 9 journaled on the machine, thence about the sheaves 10 and 11. It thence passes toward the rear end of the machine about the sheave 12, thence about a sprocket wheel 13, leaving the machine at the guide sheave it carried on the arm 15. The chain,

is so connected to the machine by the relation of the guide sheaves lit and 9 that. when placed under tension with the cutter-chain in position against the work, it tends to swing the cutter bar forward against the work about the tulcruming guide sheave 9 and, as the, machine travels, serves to hold the cutter bar up to the work. The tendency to hold the machine to the work, which is etiected by the leverage or pull of the guide chain is assisted by a sh ht forward inclination of the cutter bar. The position of the machine can be regulated more or less by taking in or letting out the receding end of the chain at the jack 8 to swing the machine more or less about the guide sheave 9 as a fulcrum.

The guide chain 6 is herein utilized also as a feed chain, the machine being self-propelled. To accomplish this the sprocket Wheel 13 is driven by the motor i so that the machine pulls itself along on the chain. The sprocket wheel is connected to be driven by the motor through any suitable transmission devices,'not herein shown, but which may be similar to those illustrated in the Mitchell patent.

The machine as described maybe operated with the shoe 5 resting upon the mine bottom and caused to pull itseli along and cut a continuous kert at substantially the level 01 the floor. li hen'it is required to cut a kert at a higher level, the entire machine is placed upon an auxiliary support shown in Figs. 1 to 3, which auxiliary sup-- port is provided with the bottom plate or shoe 16 similar to the shoe 5 of the mining machine and also with means for securing the mining machine gidly to the auxiliary support that the machine may be trav tossed with its cutter bar elevated position but, by means of the guiding and feeding chain 6 and in precisely the same manner as if resting upon its own bottom plate and as represented in Figs. 6 and '7.

Referrin to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the auxiliary slice 16 consists of a plate of steel or other suitable material substantially coextensive in length and width with the mining machine which it is to support and hav ing its ends slightly curled or turned up so as to ride over slight obstructions. To the upper side of the shoe there are riveted or otherwise secured channel irons l7 and 18 which reinforce the sides of the shoe and provide a firm foundation for elevating jacks having columns or pedestals l9 and so bolted to the channels 17 and 18. respectively, near one end of the shoe. Each column is interiorly threaded and receives a jack screw 21 having the head whereby it may be turned by any suitable implement and carries at its top the plate 23 in swivclcd relation to the screw. Each )lnle is pcrforated to receive clamping bolts as shown and the underside of the mining machine shoe 5 is tapped at appropriate points to receive the said bolts so that the mining inuchine can be bolted in fixed relation to the jack screw plates 'l ransversely across the opposite end of the shoe there is also provided a rcintorw ing channel iron Ql, to the center oi? which is bolted the column 25 oi a jack screw similar to those already (.lescribed. This column also provided with the screw lb and a. plate 2'? adapted to be bolted to the opposite end oi the mining machine shoe.

The columns ll-l, "20 and 25 which support the mining machine in elevated position arc very rigidly braced so that thc fixed relation of the mining machine to the auxiliary shoe cannot be disturbed. To brace the cohuuns 1S) and Qt) laterally there is provided a slay member 28 which is bolted to the lugs L9 and 30 on the sides of the columns. there being also provided longitudinal staysill. and 32 riveted lo the sides of the channels 1? and ll? respectively. and serving to brace the columns ill and ill. The column :25 at the opposite end in turn is laterally luaccd by means oi the angle braces iii. and Il-i. is is shown in the drawings. dcviccs I35 arc preferably provided bolted to the sides of the channel irons l7 and i so as to provide convenient means for lifting the auxiliary support or pryiinggit around from oIlc position to another.

The three jack screws described provide three points oi support "for the mining ma chine, supplying a firm and riuid l'ouudaliou therefor. liy means o l the jack screws the three points on the mininp machine shoe to which the jack screw plates are attached can be raised or lowered as required until the cutter ldecl. s at the required level. By

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adjusting the two rear jack screws the inclination or (11 ot the cutter bar also can be adjusted.

To further stifi'en the end of the mining machine on either side of the jack screw 26', auxiliary attachments are provided thereat which can be adjusted to and clamped to the underside of the mining machine shoe after the latter has been brought to the required level by the jack screws. Herein, as shown in Figs. and 5, the auxiliary attachments comprise a pair of blocks 36 one at each side of the'jack screw 26, such blocks being adapted to be bolted to the under side of the shoe 5. Each block is pivotally connected to one of a pair of cooperating links 37. and the ends of the links 237 remote from said pivotal connections are slotted and adapted to receive a clamping bolt 38 mounted in the pedestal 25, whereby, upon adjustment of the jack screw 26. the links may be bolted in rigid relation to the pedestal and so brace the mining machine in its position relative to the shoe 16. The sides of the blocks are jointed each to one of a pair of longitudinally extending links 39, the opposite ends of which links are provided each with a slot which receives a clamping bolt 40. the latter being threaded into the end of a transverse tie member ell which is fixed between the brace members 31 and 32. \Vhen the mining machine is adjusted on the jack screws as described. the bolts 38 and are loosened. The blocks 36 will. be understood to be bolted to the under side of the mining machine shoe, so that when the bolts 38 and 40 are, tightened they brace the mining machine'rigidly in elevated position on the under or auxiliary shoe l6.

'hile I have herein shown for the purpose of illustration one specific form of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limited to the constructional details=herein shown or to the specific application herein made. It is to be understood that notonl-y may the described details of construction and arrangement of parts be widely deviated from without departing from the principles of the invention, but that other applications of the invention may be made and other embodiments thereof employed.

Claims:

'1. Miningapparatus comprising, in combinatiom a flexibly t'ed, ofiset positioned mining machine having a shoe on which it is normally fed along the mine bottom to cut a keri' adjacent the floor ot' the mine. and an auxiliary shoe on which said Inining machine may be mounted and with which said mining machine may be flexibly fed and llexibly positioned for cutting a kerf at a higher level.

2. in a mining machine for cutting a continuous kcrf. the combination with cutting mechanism, motive means for propelling the bination, a mining machine tinuous kerf at a given level, selt' propellingmeans for said mining machine, an auxiliary support for said machine on which the cutting mechanisnnis adapted to cut a kerf by operation of said cutting means at a'higher level, and means for rigidly securing said support to said machine to enable the latter to travel upon and with the support when cutting at said higher level.

4. In a mining machine, the combination with cutting mechanism for cutting a kerf at a given level, of an auxiliary support on which said mining machine may be supported and with which said mining machine may be progressed during cutting movement with said cutting mechanism at a higher level, and means for detachably securing said auxiliary support to the bottom of the mining machine.

-5. In a mining machine, the combination with cutting mechanism for cutting a kerf at a given level, of an auxiliary Sll]')1)()lt comprising a skid disposed in a horizontal plane on whichthe mining machine may be supported and with which said mining machine may be progressed during cutting movement with its cutting mechanism at 'a higher level for cutting a higher keri'. and means for detachably securing said auxiliary support to the bottom of the mining ma chine G. In a mining machine, the combination with a support and cutting mechanism for cutting a kerf at a given level, of an auxiliary support on which the mining machine may be supported and with which said min: ing machine may be progressed during cutting Inovement with its cutting mechanism at a higher level for cutting a higher kerf, means for detachably securing said auxiliary support to the bottom of the mining machine, and means for varying the effective height of said auxiliary support.

7. hlining apparatus comprising, in com having a shoe 5 on which said mining machine slides on the mine bottom when cutting a kerf at a given level: an auxiliary support having an auxiliary shoe 16 on and with which the machine is adapted to travel along the mine bottom when cutting a kert' at a higher level, and a plurality of elevating jacks 19, 20, 25

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supported on said auxiliary shoe and adapted to support said mining machine at a plurality of operating levels relative to said auxiliary shoe.

8. Mining apparatus comprising, in combination, a mining machine having a shoe 5 on which said mining machine slides on the mine bottom when cutting a kerf at a given level; an auxiliary support having an auxiliary shoe 16 on and with which the machine is adapted to travel along the mine bottom when cutting a kert at a higher level, a plurality of elevating jacks 19, 20, 95 supported on said auxiliary shoe and adapted to support said mining machine at a plurality of operating levels relative to said auxiliary shoe. and braces 31. 39 for said jacks.

9. A mining machine support comprising, in combination, upper and lower members,

the latter being adapted to travel along the mine bottom. a pair of elevating jacks connecting said members adjacent one end thereof, a single elevating jack connecting said members adjacent the opposite end thereof, a pair of rigid braces for said pair of jacks, a pair of a-ngularly adjustable braces pivoted to one member, means adjustable to secure said adjustable braces to said rigid braces. a pair of angularly adjustable braces pivoted to one of said members, and means adjustable to secure the lastmentioned braces to said single jack.

10. A mining machine support compris ing, in combination. upper and lower members, the latter being adapted to travel along the mine bottom. a pair of elevating jacks each. comprising an internally threaded column and a cooperating screw, a pairof rigid braces for said columns. a pair of angularly adjustable b aces pivoted to one member. means adjustable to secure said braces in fixed position with relation to the other member, a third elevating jack comprising an internally threaded column and a 00- operating screw, rigid brace means for the column of said third jack. a pair of angularly adjustable braces pivoted to one of said members. and means :uljustable to secure the last-mentioned pair of braces rigidly with respect to the other member.

11. In a mining apparatus, a vertically adjustable mining mechanism in a relatively elevated position, a shoe extending continuously under the mining mechanism and adapted to rest directly upon, and to move universally over. a mine floor, and a series of extensible pillars supported on the shoe and flexibly secured directly to the underside ot' the mining mechanism.

12. In a mining apparatus. a vertically adjustable mining mechanism normally positioned in relatively elevated planes, a shoe extending continuously over a horizontal area substantially equal to that of the mining mechanism, a series of extensible pillars on the shoe, each having a bottom element directly connected to the shoe and a top element directly connected below and to the underside of the mining mechanism. and a movable element adjustably connected to the said bottom element and flexibly con nected to the top element.

13. In a mining apparatus, a mining mechanism positioned in relatively elevated planes, a shoe below it resting on and universally movable over a mine lloor, two vertically extensible pillars secured to one end of the shoe and supporting one end of the mining mechanism, and a third vertically extensible pillar under the central part of the opposite end of the mining mechanism and bearing directly upward against the. under-side thereof, all of said pillars being within the bounding vertical planes of the mining mechanism and each being vertically extensible?independently of the others.

Tn testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT BALL.

Witnesses Mourns P. Homncs, HARVEY C. BERKLY. 

